HALIFAX – Beginning Sunday, 10-digit dialing will become mandatory for all local calls in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, which brings the three-month transition period to an end.
Since August 23, local calls made using seven digits were generally interrupted by a recorded announcement before the call went through. But starting November 16, local calls will no longer be completed without first dialing the 902 area code.
Telecommunications providers will introduce this network message throughout their network from November 16 until November 23. It is a staggered roll-out that will gradually take effect throughout the various regions in both provinces until the network update is entirely completed.
All three-digit numbers including 911 emergency service will not require the inclusion of an area code.
The new area code 782 will be added in the provinces starting November 30, joining the current 902 area code using the overlay method, meaning that the 782 area code will coexist with the current 902 area code and will cover the same geographic area. The new area code will be assigned only when the existing inventory of 902 numbers is used up.
